The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and … Continue reading Sheep
Humility
Gracefulness
"Hail, full of grace!" Luke 1:28 ____________ Gracefulness Grace and gratitude It is interesting that the words "grace" and "gratitude" have similar etymologies. They derive from the Latin word gratus, which means both pleasing and thankful (pleased). This reveals a practical way of understanding John Paul II's description of mercy as "bilateral", or two-sided: An act of … Continue reading Gracefulness
The Joy of Humility
We proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, Jews and Greeks alike, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:23-25 ____________ … Continue reading The Joy of Humility
Adoration
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 ____________ Adoration Humility Humility can be summed up in this prayer: "Jesus, help me to love myself as you love … Continue reading Adoration
Mary
I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel. Genesis 3:15 ____________ Mary The above passage is known as the Protoevangelium, the first gospel, the original good news. It is God’s promise that Satan, represented by the serpent, … Continue reading Mary
Love One Another
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love [agapas] me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love [philo] you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do … Continue reading Love One Another
Childlike
Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4 ____________ Childlike To break pride Pride is hard to break. It rejects unconditional love. It so easily moves us to … Continue reading Childlike
The Historical Sense
The historical sense involves a perception, not only of the pastness of the past, but of its presence… "Tradition and the Individual Talent" by T.S. Eliot ____________ This “Multangular Tower” stands outside the Yorkshire Museum in York, England. Nearby is a plaque stating the tower’s history. It was built in the 300’s as a corner … Continue reading The Historical Sense
The Ben Franklin Effect
“This is another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says, He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another than he whom you yourself have obliged.” Benjamin Franklin’s Autobiography ____________ The Ben Franklin Effect Humility Benjamin Franklin’s maxim above speaks of the … Continue reading The Ben Franklin Effect
The Beginning of Wisdom
Edmund yanked George’s little hand as they plodded along the covered walkway. The evening was already dark. Rain dripped off the tiles above them and dulled the patter of their steps. “Come on, George!” he said. “We’ll be late for dinner.” George’s head lowered, but he didn’t speed up. They came to a high gallery. … Continue reading The Beginning of Wisdom
A Grain of Salt 